Elevator to the Gallows

Florence is a sophisticated, emotionally driven figure who orchestrates the murder plot out of love. She blends charm with a calculating edge, using social influence to steer events. Her resolve wavers as the plan spirals and the investigation tightens, revealing both vulnerability and resolve.

Julien is a former Foreign Legion paratrooper, skilled and calm under pressure yet torn by his love for Florence. He carries out the plan with precision, but his decisions reveal a stubborn, impulsive streak. Trapped by his own actions, he faces interrogation and the risk of a life ruined by crime.

Louis is a small-time crook, impulsive and opportunistic. He and Véronique drive the night-long chase, taking risks with little regard for consequences. His confidence soon clashes with the reality of police pursuit and fate.

Véronique is a flower shop assistant who becomes entangled with Louis and drawn into the crime plot. She is naive yet resourceful, capable of bold moves but haunted by fear and longing. Her quest for escape tests her loyalty and resolve.

Horst is a jovial, confident German whose easygoing charm contrasts with the violence that unfolds. He and his wife Frieda provide a stark foil to the Paris criminals, exposing the casual cruelty that can accompany wealth and leisure.

Frieda is Horst's perceptive wife, observant and lively. She photographs the group with Julien's camera, an act that inadvertently captures crucial evidence. Her cool demeanor under pressure reveals a keen, sometimes sly, mind.

Simon is a wealthy industrialist, Florence's husband and the intended murder target. His power and presence anchor the conflict, even as his fate triggers the plot's unraveling. His role embodies a ruthless, demanding social elite.

Cherrier is the sharp, methodical inspector who pieces the case together. He keeps a cool head while navigating the web of alibis and evidence, representing the police's relentless pursuit of truth. His calm efficiency highlights the film's noir sense of justice.

Anna appears as a minor but pivotal figure in the case, connected to Florence's social circle. Her presence underscores the web of relationships surrounding the crime. She contributes to the atmosphere of intrigue with understated significance.